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Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., are one of the most difficult urban pests to control. Pest management professionals rely heavily on insecticide sprays and dusts to control bed bugs. Dust formulations are considered to provide longer residual control than sprays. However, there are no scientific data available on the comparative efficacy of the commonly used insecticide dusts. We evaluated the efficacy of eight insecticide dust products using three exposure methods: 1) brief exposure--bed bugs crossed a 2.54-cm-wide dust-treated band, 2) forced exposure--bed bugs were continuously exposed to a dust-treated substrate, and 3) choice exposure--bed bugs were given a choice to stay on either dust-treated or untreated substrate. The brief exposure method was the most sensitive in detecting the differences among the insecticides. Only CimeXa (silica gel) dust caused 100% mortality from all three exposure methods. Other tested dusts (1% cyfluthrin, 0.05% deltamethrin, 0.075% zetacypermethrin + 0.15% piperonyl butoxide, 1% pyrethrins, 1% 2-phenethyl propionate + 0.4% pyrethrin, 0.25% dinotefuran + 95% diatomaceous earth, 100% diatomaceous earth) caused ≤65% mortality in a brief exposure assay. We also evaluated the horizontal transfer effect of the silica gel dust. Silica gel dust-exposed bed bugs transferred the dust horizontally to unexposed bed bugs resulting in 100% mortality at 4:6 donor: recipient ratio and 88.065.0% mortality at 1:5 donor: recipient ratio. The results suggest silica gel is the most promising insecticide dust for controlling C. lectularius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated male mate choice and mating competency in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., using video tracking for 10 min per experiment. In the male mate choice experiment, when a male was placed with two females of different mating status, males preferred to initiate copulation with the virgin female more quickly than with the mated female, and the mean total copulation duration with virgin females (38.0 ± 3.0 s) was significantly longer than with mated females (14.6 ± 3.0 s). When a male was placed with two females of different age, males initiated copulation more quickly with the old virgin female (29-34 d adult emergence) than with the young virgin one (<7 d adult emergence), and the mean total copulation duration with old virgin females (38.4 ± 4.0 s) was significantly longer than with young virgin females (24.0 ± 3.0 s). In the male mating competency experiment where a female was placed with two males of different mating status or age, the virgin males were more eager to mate than the mated males, and the old virgin males (29-34 d adult emergence) were more eager than the young virgin males (<7 d adult emergence), with eagerness measured by the percentage of first mate selected (first copulation occurred) and the total copulation duration by each group of males. Male mating competency is related to postmating duration (PMD); males mated 1 d earlier were significantly less likely to mate than virgin males. However, males mated 7 d earlier showed no significant difference in mating competency compared to virgin males. In conclusion, mate choice in C. lectularius is associated with both male and female mating status, age, and PMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of various interventions on low-level bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., populations in occupied apartments. The first experiment was conducted in occupied apartments under three intervention conditions: never treated (Group I), recently treated with no further treatment (Group II), and recently treated with continued treatment (Group III). Each apartment was monitored with pitfall-style traps (interceptors) installed at beds and upholstered furniture (sleeping and resting areas) along with ~18 additional interceptors throughout the apartment. The traps were inspected every 2 wk. After 22 wk, bed bugs had been eliminated (zero trap catch for eight consecutive weeks and none detected in visual inspections) in 96, 87, and 100% of the apartments in Groups I, II, and III, respectively. The second experiment investigated the impact of interceptors as a control measure in apartments with low-level infestations. In the treatment group, interceptors were continuously installed at and away from sleeping and resting areas and were inspected every 2wk for 16 wk. In the control group, interceptors were placed in a similar fashion as the treatment group but were only placed during 6–8 and 14–16wk to obtain bed bug counts. Bed bug counts were significantly lower at 8wk in the treatment group than in the control group. At 16 wk, bed bugs were eliminated in 50% of the apartments in the treatment group. The implications of our results in the development of bed bug management strategies and monitoring protocols are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) monitors have been actively sought in the past few years to help detect bed bugs and measure the effectiveness of treatments. Most of the available active monitors are either expensive or ineffective. We designed a simple and affordable active bed bug monitor that uses sugar-yeast fermentation and an experimental chemical lure to detect bed bugs. The sugar-yeast mixture released carbon dioxide at a similar rate (average 405.1 m]/min) as dry ice (average 397.0 m]/min) during the first 8 h after activation. In naturally infested apartments, the sugar-yeast monitor containing an experimental chemical lure (nonanal, L-lactic acid, 1-octen-3-ol, and spearmint oil) was equally effective as the dry ice monitor containing the same lure in trapping bed bugs. Placing one sugar-yeast monitor per apartment for 1-d was equally effective as 11-d placement of 6-18 Climbup insect interceptors (a commonly used bed bug monitor) under furniture legs for trapping bed bugs. When carbon dioxide was present, pair-wise comparisons showed the experimental lure increased trap catch by 7.2 times. This sugar-yeast monitor with a chemical lure is an affordable and effective tool for monitoring bed bugs. This monitor is especially useful for monitoring bed bugs where a human host is not present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection of low-level bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), infestations is essential for early intervention, confirming eradication of infestations, and reducing the spread of bed bugs. Despite the importance of detection, few effective tools and methods exist for detecting low numbers of bed bugs. Scent dogs were developed as a tool for detecting bed bugs in recent years. However, there are no data demonstrating the reliability of trained canines under natural field conditions. We evaluated the accuracy of 11 canine detection teams in naturally infested apartments. All handlers believed their dogs could detect infestations at a very high rate (≥95%). In three separate experiments, the mean (min, max) detection rate was 44 (10-100)% and mean false-positive rate was 15 (0-57)%. The false-positive rate was positively correlated with the detection rate. The probability of a bed bug infestation being detected by trained canines was not associated with the level of bed bug infestations. Four canine detection teams evaluated on multiple days were inconsistent in their ability to detect bed bugs and exhibited significant variance in accuracy of detection between inspections on different days. There was no significant relationship between the team's experience or certification status of teams and the detection rates. These data suggest that more research is needed to understand factors affecting the accuracy of canine teams for bed bug detection in naturally infested apartments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) infestations are becoming increasingly common in low-income communities. Once they are introduced, elimination is very difficult. As part of the efforts to develop effective and safe bed bug management programs, we conducted a laboratory study evaluating the efficacy of a reduced-risk insecticide--Alpine aerosol (0.5% dinotefuran). We then conducted a field evaluation of a reduced-risk insecticide based integrated pest management (IPM) program in low-income family apartments with young children. In laboratory evaluations, direct spray and 5 min exposure to dry Alpine aerosol residue caused 100.0 ± 0.0 and 91.7 ± 8.3% mortality to bed bug nymphs, respectively. Direct Alpine aerosol spray killed 91.3 ± 4.3% of the eggs. The IPM program included education, steam, bagging infested linens, placing intercepting devices under furniture legs and corners of rooms, applying Alpine aerosol and Alpine dust (0.25% dinotefuran, 95% diatomaceous earth dust), and regularly scheduled monitoring and re-treatment. Nine apartments ranging from 1-1,428 (median: 29) bed bugs based on visual inspection and Climbup interceptor counts were included. Over a 6-month period, an average 172 g insecticide (Alpine aerosol + Alpine dust) was used in each apartment, a 96% reduction in pesticide usage compared to chemical only treatment reported in a similar environment. The IPM program resulted in an average of 96.8 ± 2.2% reduction in the number of bed bugs. However, elimination of bed bugs was only achieved in three lightly infested apartments (<30 bed bugs at the beginning). Elimination success was closely correlated with the level of bed bug populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae), became a major public health concern in urban communities. Bed bugs are notoriously difficult to control, and their bites are not tolerated by most people. The public has an urgent need for materials and methods to reduce bed bug introduction and bites during work, travel, or sleep. A repellent product will help achieve these goals by discouraging and preventing bed bugs from moving to a protected area. We evaluated the repellency of three commercially available insect repellent or control materials and five nonregistered materials with the goal of identifying safe and effective bed bug repellents. The two commercial repellent products that contained 7% picaridin or 0.5% permethrin had little repellency against bed bugs. N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), the most commonly used insect repellent, provided a high level of repellency against bed bugs. When a host cue (carbon dioxide) was present, theminimum DEET concentration to repel =94% of the bed bugs for a 9-h period was 10%. The longevity of repellency of DEET was concentration dependent. At 25% concentration, DEET-treated fabric surface remained highly repellent to bed bugs for a 14-d period. However, DEET has a strong smell and dissolves certain plastic materials. Therefore, we evaluated several odorless, noncorrosive, and potentially effective repellents. Isolongifolenone and isolongifolanone, two natural products and recently reported insect repellents, exhibited strong repellent property against bed bugs but at significantly lower levels than DEET. Three novel potential repellent compounds discovered by Bedoukian Research Inc. (Danbury, CT) exhibited similar level of repellency and longevity as DEET for repelling bed bugs. These nonirritant and odorless compounds are promising candidates as alternatives to DEET for reducing the spread of bed bugs and bed bug bites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bed bugs, (Cimex lectularius L.), are difficult to find because of their nocturnal and secretive behavior. In recent years, a number of monitors containing carbon dioxide (CO2), chemical lures, heat, or both, to attract bed bugs have been developed for detecting bed bugs. Ineffective trap design, lack of attraction of chemical lures, high cost of the CO2 delivery system, or insufficient CO2 release rates are some factors that limited the wide adoption of these monitors. To develop an affordable and effective monitor, we conducted a series of laboratory and field tests. Specifically, we tested a new pitfall trap design, a chemical lure mixture, different CO2 release rates, and a sugar and yeast mixture as CO2 source. Results show the new pitfall trap design was significantly more effective than Climbup insect interceptor, the most effective passive monitor available in the market for bed bugs. The experimental chemical lure mixture increased Climbup insect interceptor catch by 2.2 times. Results exhibit a distinct positive relationship between the CO2 release rates and bed bug trap catches. There were no significant differences between CO2 derived from cylinders and CO2 generated from sugar and yeast mixture in their attractiveness to bed bugs. The findings suggest an effective and affordable monitor can be made incorporating the new pitfall trap design, a sugar and yeast mixture, and a chemical lure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current bed bug, Cimex lectularius L., control usually involves insecticide applications that pose a high risk of insecticide exposure to residents and applicators. To minimize these risks and the amount of insecticides used, we designed and evaluated a dust band treatment technique. The laboratory assay showed that 1% cyfluthrin dust treated bands are highly effective in killing bed bugs. We further evaluated this technique in bed bug infested apartments. The "dust band" treatment consisted of installing a 3.8-cm-wide fabric band on furniture legs and brushing Tempo dust (1% cyfluthrin) (Bayer Environmental Science, Research Triangle Park, NC) onto the bands. In addition, interceptors were installed under furniture legs. Alpine (0.5% dinotefuran) aerosol spray was applied directly to live bed bugs found on furniture during biweekly inspections. This treatment was compared with two other treatments: "integrated pest management" (IPM) and "control." The IPM treatment included dust bands plus the following: applying hot steam to infested furniture and surrounding areas, installing mattress encasements, applying 1% cyfluthrin dust around room perimeters, and installing interceptors under furniture legs. Alpine aerosol was applied to live bed bugs found during biweekly inspections. In the control group, the apartments received cursory treatment with insecticide sprays by the existing pest control contractor hired by the property management office. Bed bug numbers before and after treatments were determined based on biweekly interceptor counts or a combination of interceptor counts and visual inspections. From 0 to 12 wk, mean bed bug counts of the dust band, IPM, and the control treatment decreased by 95, 92, and 85%, respectively. Both dust band and IPM resulted in higher bed bug reduction than the control. There was no significant difference in the final counts between dust band and IPM treatments. An additional field experiment showed installing 1% cyfluthrin dust band and interceptors in lightly infested apartments prevented bed bug population rebound. Results indicate applying insecticide dust bands to furniture legs is an effective bed bug control technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commercial bed bug (Cimex lectularius L.) monitors incorporating carbon dioxide (CO2), heat, and chemical lures are being used for detecting bed bugs; however, there are few reported studies on the effectiveness of chemical lures in bed bug monitors and the interactions among chemical lure, CO2, and heat. We screened 12 chemicals for their attraction to bed bugs and evaluated interactions among chemical lures, CO2, and heat. The chemical lure mixture consisting of nonanal, 1-octen-3-ol, spearmint oil, and coriander Egyptian oil was found to be most attractive to bed bugs and significantly increased the trap catches in laboratory bioassays. Adding this chemical lure mixture when CO2 was present increased the trap catches compared with traps baited with CO2 alone, whereas adding heat did not significantly increase trap catches when CO2 was present. Results suggest a combination of chemical lure and CO2 is essential for designing effective bed bug monitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L., are now considered a serious urban pest in the United States. Because they are small and difficult to find, there has been strong interest in developing and using monitoring tools to detect bed bugs and evaluate the results of bed bug control efforts. Several bed bug monitoring devices were developed recently, but their effectiveness is unknown. We comparatively evaluated three active monitors that contain attractants: CDC3000, NightWatch, and a home-made dry ice trap. The Climbup Insect Interceptor, a passive monitor (without attractants), was used for estimating the bed bug numbers before and after placing active monitors. The results of the Interceptors also were compared with the results of the active monitors, In occupied apartments, the relative effectiveness of the active monitors was: dry ice trap > CDC3000 > NightWatch. In lightly infested apartments, the Interceptor (operated for 7 d) trapped similar number of bed bugs as the dry ice trap (operated for 1 d) and trapped more bed bugs than CDC3000 and NightWatch (operated for 1 d). The Interceptor was also more effective than visual inspections in detecting the presence of small numbers of bed bugs. CDC3000 and the dry ice trap operated for 1 d were equally as effective as the visual inspections for detecting very low level of infestations, whereas 1-d deployment of NightWatch detected significantly lower number of infestations compared with visual inspections. NightWatch was designed to be able to operate for several consecutive nights. When operated for four nights, NightWatch trapped similar number of bed bugs as the Interceptors operated for 10 d after deployment of NightWatch. We conclude these monitors are effective tools in detecting early bed bug infestations and evaluating the results of bed bug control programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total, 289 termite samples were collected from 45 counties in Indiana during 2002-2004. Approximately 89% of the collection sites were associated with artificial structures, and almost half of the samples were from inside homes. The rest of the samples were from forested areas. Termite samples were identified based on their morphological characteristics, molecular characteristics, or both. Five species from the genus Reticulitermes were identified, and the relative abundance (percentage of the total collections) of these five species was Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) (90.0), Reticulitermes virginicus (Banks) (7.6), Reticulitermes arenincola (Goellner) (1.0), Reticulitermes tibialis (Banks) (1.0), and Reticulitermes hageni Banks (0.3). Based on the distribution map, R. flavipes was the dominant and the most widely distributed species in Indiana (44 counties); followed by R. virginicus (13 counties). The three other Reticulitermes species, R. arenincola, R. tibialis, and R. hageni, were encountered in only five counties. R. arenincola is considered a rare species and its distribution has been limited to sand dunes near Lake Michigan. However, in this study, two of the three R. arenincola samples were collected outside of its type location. R. tibialis was found in three counties, whereas R. hageni was only found in Evansville, IN. To complement the morphological identifications, a 389-bp region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced from all five Reticulitennes species. Based on species-specific polymorphisms exhibited in mtDNA sequences, a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism-based diagnostic tool was developed to identify samples lacking of diagnostic morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many low-income housing units in the United States continue to have chronic German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), infestations and high prevalence of cockroach allergens despite the availability of highly effective cockroach control products. Several studies have demonstrated the greater effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) compared with routine chemical interventions in apartment buildings and the benefit of cockroach allergen reduction using IPM. Yet, there has been little information on the cost and benefit of community-wide cockroach IPM, which is critical for voluntary adoption of IPM programs. We evaluated a community-wide IPM program in two low-income apartment complexes in Gary, IN. The program included education of staff and residents, monthly monitoring, and nonchemical (laying sticky traps) and chemical treatment based on monitoring results. One complex of 191 apartments was treated with cockroach gel bait, boric acid dust, and sticky traps by state licensed entomologists from Purdue University (E-IPM group). The other complex of 251 apartments was treated by pest management professionals (PMPs) from a contractor (C-IPM group) following the same protocol as the E-IPM group. Purdue University researchers trained Gary Housing Authority (GHA) staff on cockroach biology and management and cockroach allergen reduction techniques. GHA staff educated all residents in the two complexes on cockroach control and allergen reduction through printed materials, demonstrations, or both. Purdue University entomologists conducted the initial and monthly monitoring in both complexes (laying six sticky traps per apartment and retrieving them the next day) with the assistance from GHA to evaluate program effectiveness, guide insecticide applications, and identify apartments with poor sanitation conditions, Dust samples were collected from kitchen floors of 72 cockroach-infested apartments at the beginning, and again at 6 and 12 mo to evaluate changes in cockroach allergen Bla g 1 concentration. E-IPM resulted in significantly faster cockroach trap count reduction than C-IPM. At 12 mo, the number of cockroach-infested apartments decreased by 74% in both treatment groups. Geometric mean cockroach trap counts decreased from 99.7 at baseline to 0.4 (99.6% reduction) by E-IPM and from 76.0 at baseline to 1.3 (98.3% reduction) by C-IPM. From the first quarter to the fourth quarter, cockroach bait use decreased by 88.5 and 92.7% for E-IPM and C-IPM group, respectively. From month 0 to month 12, geometric mean Bla g 1 concentrations decreased from 27.8 to 2.2 U per gram of dust (U/g) in the E-IPM group and from 5.8 to 2.4 U/g in the C-IPM group. Assuming salary rates at $60/h for PMPs and $19/h for housing authority staff, the mean monthly cockroach management (material and labor expenses) cost was $7.5 USD/apartment for both groups excluding education cost. The cost for subsequent years service is expected to be lower due to reduced cockroach infestations. The effectiveness of both IPM programs was affected by the lack of assistance from housing authority with periodic inspections of the apartments, lack of proper maintenance of the properties, and inadequate cooperation from residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dioxide (CO2), heat, and chemical lure (1-octen-3-ol and L-lactic acid) were tested as attractants for bed bugs, Cimex lectularius L. (Heteroptera: Cimicidae), by using pitfall traps. Both CO2 and heat were attractive to bed bugs. CO2 was significantly more attractive to bed bugs than heat. Traps baited with chemical lure attracted more bed bugs but at a statistically nonsignificant level. In small arena studies (56 by 44cm), pitfall traps baited with CO2 or heat trapped 79.8 ± 6.7 and 51.6 ± 0.9% (mean ± SEM) of the bed bugs after 6 h, respectively. Traps baited with CO2 + heat, CO2 + chemical lure, or CO2 + heat + chemical lure captured ≥86.7% of the bed bugs after 6 h, indicating baited pitfall traps were highly effective in attracting and capturing bed bugs from a short distance. In 3.1- by 1.8-m environmental chambers, a pitfall trap baited with CO2 + heat + chemical lure trapped 57.3 ± 6.4% of the bed bugs overnight. The pitfall trap was further tested in four bed bug-infested apartments to determine its efficacy in detecting light bed bug infestations, Visual inspections found an average of 12.0 ± 5.4 bed bugs per apartment. The bed bugs that were found by visual inspections were hand-removed during inspections. A pitfall trap baited with CO2 and chemical lure was subsequently placed in each apartment with an average of 15.0 ± 6.4 bed bugs collected per trap by the next morning. We conclude that baited pitfall traps are potentially effective tools for evaluating bed bug control programs and detecting early bed bug infestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-income housing often has multiple indoor health risks. Among them, pest infestation, pesticide use, and pest allergens are recognized as common risks which affect residents' health. Cockroach and rodent allergens are associated with morbidity and mortality of asthmatics. To characterize the levels of pest infestation, residents' attitudes toward pest control, and the relationships among cockroaches, mice, cockroach allergen level, asthma and allergy rate in public housing, we interviewed residents from 358 randomly selected apartments in Gary, Indiana and assessed the environmental conditions. Dust samples were collected from 101 apartment kitchen floors to analyze for cockroach allergen (Bla g 1 and Bla g 2) levels. Eighty one percent of the apartments were found infested by cockroaches, mice, ants, spiders, or flies. In the 101 apartments evaluated, 98% of the kitchen dust samples had detectable levels of Bla g 1 allergen (≥0.4 U/g), 52% had ≥2 U/g, and 33% had ≥8 U/g of Bla g 1. Among the 1,173 residents, 13% and 9% had physician-diagnosed asthma and allergy, respectively. Existence of diagnosed asthmatic was positively correlated with mouse infestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trophallaxis and feeding relationships in the eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar), were examined using a novel marking technique, rabbit IgC protein coupled with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the marker. Transfer experiments in small dishes evaluated the trophallactic transfer of the marker from donor workers fed IgC-treated paper to recipient workers or larvae. Worker donors rapidly acquired the marker, and 100% of donors tested positive within 24 h. Trophallactic transfer from donors to recipients was relatively inefficient, and 51 ± 2% of recipient workers and 31 ± 2% of recipient larvae tested positive at 72 h. Based on the mean optical density counts, ≈27% of marker ingested by the donors was passed on to the recipient workers in the first 24 h, 14% to recipient larvae, and 26% to recipient soldiers. The ability of soldiers to feed independently of workers was examined in dish assays. Soldiers showed no significant uptake of the marker when isolated from the workers, and uptake increased significantly when workers were present. The distribution of the marker was further studied in larger colony fragments composed of workers, soldiers, nymphs, and larvae. Marker acquisition by the different castes! developmental stages was highly variable, with workers and nymphs acquiring the marker at a faster rate than soldiers and larvae. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of the foraging ecology and social behavior in R. flavipes. In addition, they may help design improved control programs for subterranean termites based on baits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insecticidal activity of a cockroach gel bait containing a chitin synthesis inhibitor, noviflumuron, was evaluated using laboratory and field strains of the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). Noviflumuron gel bait (0.01-5mg g-1) caused ⩾90% nymphal mortality to laboratory and field strains of B. germanica in choice tests after 11 and 19 days of continuous exposure respectively. In 1m × 1m bioassay arenas, laboratory strain B. germanica population levels exposed to 5mgg-1 noviflumuron bait or 0.1 mgg-1 fipronil gel bait were significantly lower than untreated population levels after 3 weeks and 1 week of exposure respectively. Various novifiumuron bait exposure periods (2, 4 and 7 weeks) caused similar population reductions, with a mean of 99.3 (±0.3)% at 7 weeks. Fipronil gel bait caused 100% population reduction at 2 weeks post-exposure. The control population increased 89.0% at 7 weeks. In a simulated kitchen experiment with mixed stage laboratory populations, cockroach trap catches decreased 96.8 (±2.0)% at 8 weeks in the 0.5mgg-1 noviflumuron bait treatment. The trap catches in the control increased 506.5 (±493.7)% during the same period. Trap catch reduction by 0.1 mgg-1 fipronil gel bait reached 100% at 4weeks. Novifiumuron bait caused significantly lower nymph/total ratios to B. germanica populations in bioassay arenas from 2 weeks after exposure, demonstrating its effectiveness as a control agent for B. germanica with a pattern of activity similar to that expected from a chitin synthesis inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A benzoylphenyl urea insect growth regulator with the common name noviflumuron was evaluated for efficacy and residual activity on the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). In laboratory studies evaluating residual activity, 0.05% noviflumuron suspension concentrate produced 100% nymphal mortality 120 d after application to steel and masonite substrates. Residual activity of noviflumuron was more variable on painted plywood substrates compared with stainless steel and masonite. In bioassay arenas, population reductions caused by noviflumuron were significantly greater than Archer and the untreated populations. After 16 wk, populations exposed to 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% noviflumuron were reduced by 51.9 ± 19.8, 62.2 ± 6.5, and 62.6 ± 18.4%, respectively. Control cockroach populations and populations exposed to 1.3% pyriproxyfen at labeled rate (Archer, 0.61 g/m²) increased by 1,286.3 ± 125.1 and 937.2 ± 137.1%, respectively, at the end of 16 wk. A field study in multifamily housing complexes showed noviflumuron (0.2 and 0.5%) to provide 73.3 ± 8.0 and 90.6 ± 3.6% trap catch reduction at 4 wk posttreatment, respectively. There were no significant differences in the performance of noviflumuron, Maxforce FC Roach Bait Stations (0.05% [AI] fipronil), and Avert dust bait (0.05% [AI] abamectin B1). Noviflumuron shows excellent potential for use in cockroach management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gel bait-resistant German cockroach, Blattella gevmanica (L.), strain Cincy was collected in Cincinnati, OH. This strain exhibited a high level of behavioral resistance to Avert (0.05% abamectin) and Maxforce FC (0.01% fipronil) gel baits. Topical application assays indicated moderate levels of physiological resistance of the Cincy strain to abamectin and fipronil. Resistance ratios (based on LD50 values from topical applications) to abamectin and fipronil were 2.5 and 8.7, respectively. The Cincy strain of had a significantly lower LD50 value to abamectin than a nonaverse field strain (Dorie) and similar LD50 values to fipronil as the Dorie strain. The aversion behavior (avoidance of gel baits) was therefore caused by food ingredients in the gel baits. The Cincy strain showed avoidance of agar containing fructose, glucose, maltose, and sucrose, which are phagostimulants to the laboratory strain. Modifications of the inert ingredients in the Maxforce FC gel bait significantly improved the efficacy against the Cincy strain. The Cincy strain produced significantly smaller oothecae and lower numbers of eggs in each egg capsule than the nonaverse Jwax and Dorie strains of cockroaches, suggesting fitness costs are associated with resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: More and more patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer are choosing to receive stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and this study aimed to retrospectively analyze the efficacy and prognostic factors of SBRT. Methods: In this study, patients who underwent SBRT at Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from August 2014 to December 2020 and who met the inclusion criteria were included. Patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer were examined for efficacy and prognostic factors. After using propensity score matching (PSM), the difference in efficacy of SBRT between single and multiple primary early-stage lung cancer was observed. Results: This study included 241 early-stage lung cancer patients with SBRT, including 94 patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer. The 3- and 5-year local control rate (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 87.1% and 71.3%, 84.0% and 66.9%, 93.3% and 79.3% in multiple primary early-stage lung cancer, respectively. Patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer did not experience any grade 3 or higher pulmonary toxicity with an overall toxicity incidence of 54.3%, and grade 2 toxicity occurred in 24 patients (25.5%). There was a total of 18 (19.1%) recurrences, and there were 3 (3.2%), 1 (1.1%), 12 (12.7%) and 2 (2.1%) patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancers who experienced local recurrence, regional recurrence, distant metastasis and uncertain death, respectively. Patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer and those with single primary early-stage lung cancer had significant differences in clinical features prior to PSM. After PSM, there were 56 patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer and 56 patients with single primary early-stage lung cancer, and there was no statistically significant difference in LC (P = 0.291), PFS (P = 0.954) and OS (P = 0.880). Age≥70 years was an independent risk factor for OS of multiple primary early-stage lung cancer, according to an analysis of the prognostic variables of SBRT in 94 patients with multiple primary early-stage lung cancer. Regarding synchronous (≤180 d) and metachronous (>180 d) multiple primary early-stage lung cancer, there was no discernible difference between the two groups (P = 0.440). There was no significant difference in the total number of treatments for multiple primary early-stage lung cancer (P = 0.232) and no significant difference in the type of treatment for multiple primary early-stage lung cancer (P = 0.225) among 59 patients with synchronous multiple primary early-stage lung cancer within 5 years of the first-to-last treatment interval. Conclusion: SBRT has a strong and comparable efficacy for multiple primary early-stage lung cancer compared with single primary early-stage lung cancer, making it a viable treatment choice. Based on age and tumor biological behavior of the lesion, future strategies and procedures for local intervention of multiple primary early-stage lung cancer need to be investigated.

Purpose: To compare the structure and antioxidant activity of arabinoxylan (AX) extracted from wheat bran of different varieties by different methods. Methods: AX was extracted from wheat bran from the cultivars ‘Bainong 207’, ‘Baihan 207’, ‘Guanmai 1’, ‘Huayu 198’ and ‘Huayu 166’ by alkali extraction, ultrasonic-assisted xylanase extraction or ultrasonic-assisted cellulase extraction, and its chemical composition, relative molecular mass, molecular structure, thermal stability and antioxidant activity were determined. Results: Among the three extraction methods, alkali extraction gave higher levels of AX yield and total sugar content, while enzymatic extraction retained polyphenols to a greater extent, which may contribute to the better antioxidant capacity of the AX-rich extract, but reduced the relative molecular mass of AX to a certain extent. The monosaccharide composition of enzymatically extracted AX was significantly different from that of alkali extracted AX, and the glycosidic linkage types in enzymatically extracted AX were more complex. Compared with ultrasonic-assisted cellulase extraction, higher AX yield and total sugar content were obtained using ultrasound-assisted xylanase, while the polyphenol content of AX obtained by ultrasound-assisted cellulase extraction was higher, and monosaccharide composition and glycosidic linkage types were also different between AXs extracted by the two enzymatic methods. In addition, the relative molecular mass, the monosaccharide composition, and the types and proportions of glycosidic linkage of AX extracted from wheat bran of different varieties were different. Conclusion: The structure and activity of AX extracted from wheat bran by alkali extraction, ultrasonic-assisted xylanase extraction and ultrasonic-assisted cellulase extraction were obviously different. Compared with alkali extraction, AX obtained by enzymatic extraction had lower yield and molecular mass, but higher polyphenol content and better antioxidant performance. Compared with ultrasound-assisted cellulase extraction, AX obtained by ultrasound-assisted xylanase extraction had higher yield and total sugar content, but lower polyphenol content. The structure of wheat bran AX varied with different extraction methods and varieties.

The teak skeletonizer, Eutectona machaeralis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a primary pest of teak trees in plantations and natural forests. However, the biology of this pest is not well studied. We investigated adult emergence, calling behavior, and circadian rhythm of sex pheromone production of this moth in the laboratory. Adult emergence only occurred during scotophase, when females emerged faster than males. Females initiated sexual calling behavior starting 1 d after emergence. This behavior then peaked on the second day of emergence. Sex pheromone release peaked 7 h into scotophase, wherein 2-d-old females elicited the strongest male antennal response to this substance. Our results provide a basis for future investigations of E. machaeralis sex pheromone production that may lead to development of novel methods to control this forestry pest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional refining process for tea seed oil (Camellia oleifera oil) results in a severe loss of natural bioactive compounds and unsaturated fatty acids owing to the high operating temperatures. This study investigated the relationship between refining temperatures and the loss of various fatty acids and bioactive compounds in tea seed oil. It was found that the optimal refining temperatures should be 35 °C in the degumming stage, 45 °C in the neutralization stage, 85 °C in the bleaching stage, 150 °C at a pressure of 0.3 MPa in the deodorization stage and 7°C in the dewaxing stage. Results from a factory acceptance test showed that the quality of the oil refined using the optimized temperatures was similar to that of oil refined traditionally. Most unsaturated fatty acids and bioactive compounds were retained in oil refined using the optimized method, but were significantly reduced in oil refined traditionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of dioctyl phthalates (DOP) from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in apples packaging has been investigated by using a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) during the storage. The results indicated that the release amount of DOP increased with time at the room temperature and the amount of DOP transported to the apples reached to 7.5 µg/g after 75 days of storage. Over the total amount of DOP transferred to apples, however, about 6. 56 µg/g DOP was retained in the cuticle and only 1. 37 µg/g DOP reached the apple flesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]